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Are you in the market for a great online Certificate of Nursing Assistant Program? We’ve got you covered! Nursing assistants play some of the most important roles in health and personal care. They are a staple in hospices, hospitals, nursing homes, correctional institutions, and various other settings.
Their tasks often include assisting licensed nurses in providing patient care, such as making beds, taking vital signs, feeding, dressing, bathing, skincare, reporting changes to the nurse, observing and documentation, and even post-mortem care. According to BLS, nursing assistants’ median salary is around $35,760 per year, or equivalent to $15.63 per hour.
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Are you interested in a healthcare career? If so, a great place to begin your journey is by earning an online certificate to become a nursing assistant. Online programs now make it easy to earn your certificate even while working a full-time job. Nursing assistants work closely with licensed nurses to assist in all types of medical procedures and basic patient care. Successful completion of an online certificate as a nursing assistant will not take long; therefore, you can start earning a living fast!
Need some Fast Links to the Fast Colleges?
- Lehman College
- Howard Community College
- Santa Ana College
- College of Southern Maryland
- Shoreline Community College
- Massachusetts Bay Community College
- The City College of New York
- The University of Nevada – Las Vegas
- Community College of Aurora
- Chesapeake College
- Bay College
- Anoka Technical College
- York College
- Pratt Community College
- Century College
While nursing assistants do not earn as much as other nursing professions, it is still one of the most convenient ways to enter the healthcare industry. The path to a nursing assistant is fairly easy. A student is often required to familiarize themselves with the basic nursing principles and go through supervised clinical practice.
METHODOLOGY
PremiumSchools.org is here to help you decide on an Online Certificate of Nursing Assistant Program! We rounded up the country’s best universities offering the program with an excellent education, training, and student experience in mind!
The Best Online Certificate of Nursing Assistant Programs on our list all meet these criteria:
- 100% online or hybrid Online Certificate of Nursing Assistant Programs featuring convenient and flexible classes. They are all ideal for working CNA professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field and, consequently, advance their careers,
- Excellent Online Certificate of Nursing Assistant curricula that aim to enhance proficiency in the discipline and competency in the practice as a student has completed the program,
- Teaching staff and personnel who have contributed or continue to contribute to the Nursing Assistant profession through their industry expertise and published work. Each should have experience as a certified nursing assistant or registered nurse,
- Good standing in the Nursing Assistant industry, as evidenced by consistently high rank in academic listings,
- Proper accreditation by academic agencies and industry organizations,
- Financial assistance for the eligible student.
For more information, please visit our Methodology Page.
The 15 Best Online Certificate of Nursing Assistant Programs
Lehman College
Approved by the State Education Department of New York, the online Certificate of Nursing Assistant training program offered by Lehman College can help meet employers’ credentials for certified nursing assistants. It gives graduates the eligibility for the New York State credentialing examination.
The program is comprised of 125 credit hours. It includes Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Home Clinical Rotation, and Fundamentals of Patient Care. All courses must be completed with at least a grade of C. It must be noted that the program requires the completion of CPR100: Basic Life Support(BLS) with AED for Health Care Providers as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Successfully completed, students are expected to work directly with patients and provide them with quality care. They can seek employment in varied settings, including nursing homes, hospitals, hospices, and home health agencies.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Workforce1 Individual Training Grant Vouchers
Admission Requirements:
- Completed online free application
- Official transcripts
- High school diploma or GED/TASC
Accreditations:
- Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
Find more information on Lehman College’s online Certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
Howard Community College
Howard Community College allows nursing assistants to acquire more knowledge or training in their field of expertise. This includes administering medications, assisting in surgical procedures, and delivering babies, among many others. They offer online Certified Nursing Assistant training that spans six to eight weeks.
In this assistant training program, students will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to become certified nursing assistants. The courses are spearheaded by experienced and professionally trained nursing instructors working and living in the community.
The program met the requirements of the Maryland Board of Nursing regulations. This training program allows one to obtain a Maryland Board of Nursing license and prepares them to take the State Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) Examination. Students are expected to go through the theory and clinical sections simultaneously.
The program totals 145 hours, both for theory training and clinical training.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Applicant must be 18 years or older
- High school diploma or GED
- Immunizations
- Passed criminal background investigation
- Completed online application
- Official transcripts
Accreditations:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Find more information on Howard Community College’s online Certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College offers an online certification program for nursing assistants that can be completed in 10 weeks. Students gain the essential knowledge and training to fulfill their roles and responsibilities as certified nurse assistants.
Some of the skills they will learn include helping patients with daily living tasks, assisting with medical equipment, and checking patients’ vital signs, such as blood pressure and pulse. They are also trained to provide social and emotional support to patients.
It is their responsibility to keep the nurses up-to-date by providing vital information on patients’ conditions. All of these are covered by the program curriculum.
Students who complete the program will be well-prepared to gain employment as licensed, certified nursing assistants. They will also be eligible to take the Certified Nursing Assistant Board Exam.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- 18 years of age or older
- State Issued ID or Driver’s License
- Social Security Card
- Pass a physical exam and background check
- Certification for BLS/CPR for healthcare professionals
Accreditations:
- Commission for Community and Junior Colleges or ACCJC of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Find more information on Santa Ana College’s online certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
College of Southern Maryland
Another learning institution that offers a certificate of Nursing Assistant program is the College of Southern Maryland. The program equips students with important skills and training to prepare them for a rewarding career as a certified nursing assistant.
Students who manage to complete this program must apply the comprehensive knowledge and skills they learned in a clinical setting. This will also allow them to meet the Maryland Board of Nursing eligibility requirements to obtain their nursing assistant certification. For those who want to be a geriatric nursing assistant, the program will also qualify them to take the geriatric nursing assistant competency exam.
To earn the certificate, students must complete the two required courses, including Nursing Assistant Fundamentals and Nursing Assistant Practice. Currently, the program remains primarily online.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work-Keys Assessment test
- Completed background check and health screening
Accreditations:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Shoreline Community College
Shoreline Community College equips students with theory and hands-on learning to help them become certified nurse assistants. Nursing Assistant Certified Certificate prepares students for the state Certified Nursing Assistant examination.
The program consists of 18 credits, including Nursing Assistant (NAC) Theory and Skills Lab, Nursing Assistant Clinical Experience, and Special Topics in Adult Basic Education. Students are given an introduction to nursing theory. They are also tasked to master NAC skills. The program also trains students on healthcare career option searches.
Students can be assured of the program’s quality since the Washington State Nursing Commission recognizes it as a training program.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Minimum CASAS test score is 220 in reading and 210 in math
- Completion of criminal background check
- Proof of health insurance and immunizations
Accreditations:
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Massachusetts Bay Community College
The Massachusetts Bay Community College provides nurse assistants training to prepare them for the Red Cross Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation (NACE) test and equip them with substantial skills and knowledge for an entry-level healthcare career.
The nurse assistant training program’s duration is about 120 lecture and laboratory hours or eight weeks. Students will learn the fundamentals of checking and monitoring vital signs and dealing with a wide range of patient’s needs.
They are also expected to master a nurse assistant’s roles and responsibilities, including food service, safety, personal care, restorative nursing, use of assistive devices, and so much more.
The online classes are small and ensure an intimate environment that centers on students’ learning needs.
Types of Aid: Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Must be 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Complete SORI and CORI forms for criminal background check
Accreditations:
- New England Commission of Higher Education
The City College of New York
Nurse assistants who want to be certified can consider earning the online certified nursing assistant program from the City College of New York. The program is composed of 130 hours, the majority of which are classroom instructions.
Students in this program are trained to assist patients in their daily living tasks. They are expected to provide basic care services, including grooming, bed-making, and checking vital signs. They will be able to work under the supervision of senior nurses or medical doctors. The coursework comprises anatomy, basic life support, fundamentals of patient care, and physiology.
Types of Aid: Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- CAN orientation
- Assessment test
Accreditations:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas
As part of its continuing education initiatives, the University of Nevada Las Vegas offers a Certified Nursing Assistant training program in partnership with the Perry Foundation Academy of Health. The Nevada State Board approves Nursing for 100% clinical simulations, allowing students to complete their education without accessing contracted clinical sites.
Students get nurse assistant training on a broad range of subjects, such as communication and interpersonal skills, infection control, personal care, safety, and emergency procedures, basic restorative skills, quality improvement, and psychosocial needs, among many others.
The program takes as little as four weeks to finish and prepares students to sit for the Nevada State Board of Nursing (NSBN) examination. The University of Nevada Las Vegas Certified Nursing Assistant training program is also suitable for those who want to gain entry-level positions in the medical field or establish knowledge to pursue an RN program.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, Grants, Scholarships
Admission Requirements:
- Completed background check
- CPR/BLS
- Proof of immunizations
Accreditations:
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora offers a Nursing Assistant program for those seeking entry-level positions in the healthcare industry. All program lectures and practical exercises are currently delivered 100% online.
Nurse assistant students are expected to demonstrate the comprehensive knowledge and skills they learned in the clinical setting at the end of the program. They must understand and apply appropriate basic patient care. It is also required that they have a thorough understanding of the OSHA and HIPAA regulations.
The program qualifies graduates to take the State of Colorado Nurse’s Aide Certification exam.
Types of Aid: Loans, Scholarships, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- Complete and pass a criminal background check
- Proof of specific immunizations
- Official transcripts
- English competency
Accreditations:
- Higher Learning Commission
Chesapeake College
Chesapeake College is another higher learning institution that offers a Healthcare-Nursing Assistant program. It is composed of courses that prepare students for the Maryland State certifications, both for certified nursing assistants and geriatric nursing assistants.
This online Healthcare-Nursing Assistant program is offered on a limited basis to only eight students who will learn basic nursing and patient care. They will be educated and trained under the supervision of an RN or an LPN.
Some of the program courses include Nursing Assistant Theory, Nursing Assistant Clinical, NNAAP Prep, and BLS Healthcare Provider CPR.
Types of Aid: Private Loans, TREES Scholarship, Workforce Development Sequence Scholarship, Grants
Admission Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Drug screen and background check
- College Placement Test for Reading Comprehension
Accreditations:
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Find more information on Chesapeake College’s online Certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
Bay College
Whether a patient resides in a hospital, a home health agency, or a long-term care facility, dependable bedside nursing care is necessary. CNAs play a critical role in patient care, providing basic care while providing safety and comfort—which Bay College provides training for. The school prepares its students for immediate employment as nursing assistants through its CNA training program.
Students completing Bay’s Nurse Aide program can work in Michigan or Wisconsin as nursing assistants. After completing the 3-weeks of training, with a total of 96-hour training, participants will have a wide range of employment opportunities. The program consists of intensive lectures and labs, participate in a clinical component, and prepare for the state exam.
In the event that students successfully complete this program, they can apply for certification through Prometric for listing on the National Registry for Certified Nurse Aides.
Types of Aid: Federal Financial Aid, Federal Financial Grants, Federal Loans, Scholarships, Payment Plans, Veteran Benefits, Michigan Programs, and Alternative Loans.
Admission Requirements:
- Completed online free application
- Official transcripts
- High school diploma or GED/TASC
Accreditation:
- The Higher Learning Commission
Find more information on Bay College’s online Certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
Anoka Technical College
The Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide certificate at Anoka Technical College covers health concepts, nursing skills, mental health issues, restorative services, resident rights, and home health care practices. Laboratories and long-term care facilities supervise the performance of these skills.
The course meets Federal and Minnesota Board of Nursing requirements. After passing the competency evaluation, students can find employment in long-term care facilities, hospitals, or home health agencies.
After completing the program, students who pass the competency evaluation are eligible to work in long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health agencies, or assisted living facilities. Healthcare providers at Minnesota Department of Health-licensed facilities who have direct contact with patients and residents must undergo a background investigation.
Types of Aid: Grants, Payment Plan, Work Study, Scholarships, Veteran Benefits, and Loans.
Admission Requirements:
- Completed online free application
- ACCUPLACER Test
Accreditation:
- The Higher Learning Commission
Find more information on Anoka Technical College’s online Certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
York College
York College students who complete the CNA program become prepared for entry-level positions in a rapidly growing industry such as healthcare. Nursing Assistants are tasked to assist patients with daily living tasks under the supervision of Registered Nurses, LPNs, Physician Assistants, or Medical Doctors.
By introducing students to the skills necessary for caring for patients, they learn to feed, bathe, groom, dress, assist patients with walking, exercise, or get patients in and out of bed. CNAs also answer patient call signals.
It takes 130 hours for students to complete the program, of which 100 hours are required for classroom training and 30 hours in clinical. In this program, you’ll be able to cover topics like Nutrition and Infection Control and Anatomy & Physiology. Clinical instruction will follow classroom instructions for 30 hours.
Upon completing the CNA training program, graduates can become certified by the state of New York.
Types of Aid: Payment Plan
Admission Requirements:
- Completed online free application
- Bachelor’s degree
- GPA of 3.0
Accreditation:
- The Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Find more information on York College’s online Certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
Pratt Community College
In this hybrid course, the theory portion is fully online, while the lab days are held on Pratt Community College’s campus, and the clinical sessions are held at a local long-term care facility in Pratt. Nurse aides working in hospitals or long-term care facilities will learn nursing techniques in this course.
As a CNA, you will have many opportunities to work in nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted living facilities, as well as many other healthcare facilities.
Types of Aid: Grants, Self-Help Aid, and Scholarships
Admission Requirements:
- Completed online free application
- Copy of social security card and driver’s license
- Negative TB test
- Signed Student Agreement and memo of understanding
Accreditation:
- The Higher Learning Commission
Find more information on Pratt Community College’s online certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
Century College
Those seeking employment in long-term care, acute care, or home care settings need this Certificate to provide direct patient care under a registered nurse’s supervision. After completing this certificate, you will be eligible to take the examination to become a registered nursing assistant with the Minnesota Department of Health.
Among the topics covered in the Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide course is the curriculum for Home Health Aide. The course meets the Minnesota Department of Health and OBRA requirements.
Types of Aid: Grants, Loans, Work Study, and Scholarships
Admission Requirements:
- Completed online free application
- High School Transcripts or other diploma
- $20 Application Fee
Accreditations
- The Higher Learning Commission
Find more information on Century College’s online Certificate of Nursing Assistant program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What career paths should I expect with an online Certificate of Nursing Assistant?
An online certificate from a nursing assistant training program is a great way to qualify for an entry-level position in nursing and healthcare. With this program, one would provide basic patient care and work under nurses’ and medical doctors’ supervision.
There are plenty of opportunities for employment as a nurse assistant in the nursing field. According to BLS, the profession is expected to grow by 4% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
How can I become a certified nursing assistant?
Becoming a certified nursing assistant is not as difficult as in other nursing professions. More often than not, a nursing assistant program only requires a high school diploma or GED to begin. They will then be required to undergo classroom instruction on patient care and hands-on clinical training that a certificate program as a nursing assistant can provide.
It is good to remember, however, that each state often has its unique requirements to become a nurse assistant or nurse aide. The training is only the first step. One must have certification or licensure first before one can start working in the clinical setting. This can be done by taking and passing a competency or state certification exam to prove your skills.
Are there opportunities to advance my career as a certified nursing assistant?
Certified nursing assistants can advance their careers by pursuing a registered nurse program or practical nurse program. They can also gain specialized skills in a specific area of care. This will afford them a stronger credential that can improve their marketability and employment options while caring for patients. Some organizations provide opportunities for specialization, including the National Board for Alzheimer’s Care and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc.
Where will I work?
A good nursing assistant program can often be found in community colleges, vocational schools, technical institutes, and even hospitals. However, it is good to note that the requirements for an assistant training program may vary from state to state.
They might be asked to take a competency exam, which will put them on a state registry. This registry allows them to work in a nursing home or a long-term care facility. Some states, on the other hand, might require continuing education and a criminal background check.
Are there other options for a nurse assistant?
A nurse assistant can learn additional skills to help their patients. Additional credentials might also be a good idea to consider, such as becoming a Certified Medication Assistant or CMA. This will permit nursing assistants to dispense medications.
Can I complete a Nursing Assistant program online?
Most Certificates of Nursing Assistant programs are offered in brick-and-mortar institutions, but modern technology has given way to a more convenient learning method. Online Certificate of Nursing Assistant programs are becoming more and more common in the digital age.
This means a certificate program to become a nurse assistant can be earned at the time most convenient for the student. Working professionals will find it easier to pursue a career in the nursing assistant field while they work and fulfill their responsibilities. Online programs make training easy for students!
Is a Nurse Assistant and Nurse Aide the same position?
The titles of nurse assistant or nurse aide are interchangeable and are, in fact, the same position. Depending on the employer, they may refer to their assistant position as the nurse aide. The educational experience and training for the student are the same for both positions.
Key Takeaways
- A certified nurse assistant is an intricate part of the healthcare team. Although training is not as extensive as the nursing regulations set forth for a registered nurse, your job as a nursing assistant is still important and crucial to all patients.
- After the successful completion of a certified nurse assistant program, a student can enter the workforce immediately. Depending on your state’s requirements, a certification exam may be required.
- A certified nursing assistant program can be found through an online distance learning format; although clinical sections may be required on campus. Distance learning programs provide a convenient and flexible way for the student to learn.
- Prospective students learn about monitoring vital signs in their patients, such as taking blood pressure, temperature, heart rates, and much more! They learn about infection prevention, good nutrition, and how to perform minor tests, such as strep and COVID tests. Specialized nurse assistant training is also an option to consider. Continued educational training is a must!
- Healthcare professionals, at whichever level you choose, are the backbone of America, as they have caring hearts and giving spirits for helping patients in need.
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